Country Information on Equatorial Guinea 

Terrain

Equatorial Guinea rises from the coast in a landscape of gently rolling hills; nearly half of the country's total area is covered in forest. The Mbini River drains about 60 % of the mainland. The main island Bioko, which is located in the Bight of Biafra, is of volcanic origin, mountainous and thickly wooded, with a steep, rocky coast. Its highest peak is Pico de Santa Isabel (3,008 m), located in one of the island's two mountain ranges.

Climate

Equatorial Guinea has a rainy and tropical climate, which is characterised by high humidity and temperatures. The average annual temperature is about 25°C and the annual precipitation level is over 2,000 mm in most areas.

Fauna/Flora

Thanks to its tropical climate, the country is home to a large variety of plants, dominated by tree species such as okoume, mahogany, oak, walnut, teak, and rosewood. Forested areas provide a suitable habitat for a large number of animals, particularly elephants, lions and gazelles. However, agricultural expansion is increasing deforestation which in turn has a damaging effect on the country's wildlife.

History/Politics

The island of Bioko (formerly the island of Fernando Pó) was discovered in 1471 by Portuguese navigator Fernando Pó. Portugal ceded the island to Spain in 1778 in exchange for land in Brazil. From 1827 to 1844 Britain (maintaining a naval station at Fernando Pó) occupied and began the first colonisation of the island, but the Spanish recaptured the island in 1844. The islands of Fernando Pó and Annobón remained part of the Territories in the Gulf of Guinea until 1956.

In August that year, the islands became provinces of the Gulf of Guinea. In July 1959, the territory was divided into two provinces, Fernando Pó and Río Muni, officially called Spanish Guinea. Following the reunification of the two territories in 1963, the Autonomous Territories of Equatorial Guinea were officially named (with joint administration including a national assembly, council of ministers and police).

Spain gave Equatorial Guinea its independence in 1968 and Francisco Macías Nguema won the country's first presidential elections on 22 September 1968. Economic problems and ethnic conflicts caused social unrest in the spring of 1969. Nguema reacted by annulling the constitution and governed as absolute ruler of the country. His regime was underpinned by a militia of around 2,000 men, a one-party system and a youth army. His dictatorial policies led to the flight of an estimated 100,000 people to neighbouring countries.

In 1979 Macías Nguema was overthrown in a military coup, tried for treason and crimes against humanity, and executed. Colonel Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo, who led the coup, then became president but continued to rule the country in a dictatorship of his own. Parliamentary elections were held in 1983 and 1988 based on a single list of candidates.

Although the first multiparty elections saw the ruling party return to power in November 1993, the poll was boycotted by most of the opposition parties and then by about 80% of the electorate, since the Obiang Nguema government had refused to prepare an accurate electoral roll and guarantee the right to campaign peacefully. Obiang won the elections again in 2002, but he faced several attempted coups d'état in 2004.

Economy

The discovery of oil reserves has contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years and has been an important source of income. Another is agriculture with the principal export crop being cocoa. Coffee is grown on the mainland, as is tropical hardwood timber. Palm oil and kernels are other profitable agricultural products. Rice, bananas, yams, and sorghum are the staple foods. At the time of Spanish colonialism, industry developed very little. The settlers mainly had plantations on the mainland, which have now mainly been abandoned. The inflation rate was 6% and the unemployment rate was 30% in 2003.

Culture

The Fang people on the mainland have kept up their traditions, including black magic. Those who practise it are still among the most important members of the community. As in almost all cultures, music and dance are essential in major rituals. Among the most fascinating celebrations is the abira, a ceremony that cleanses the community of evil.

The traditional balélé dance is also performed on holidays and at Christmas time to music played by a band of three or four men. The instruments played are the drum, wooden xylophone, sanza (a small thumb piano made from bamboo), bow harp and zither.